PRE-PROSTHETIC SURGERY

WOODLAND HILLS, CA

A dental prosthetic is an artificial replacement for a tooth structure. This may include a dental crown, a bridge, a partial denture or a full denture. Often, there are preparatory steps that need to be taken before the placement of a prosthetic device. This may include extraction or the alteration of bone and tissue. When surgical procedures are needed, an oral surgeon is best to complete those steps. Working with our staff at Woodland Hills Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, pre-prosthetic surgery can help the patient achieve the maximum level of comfort with their prosthetic device.

The term pre-prosthetic surgery refers to the preparation of your mouth before having a prosthesis placed. Your dentist may refer you to our office to help you have a higher rate of success in your prosthetic. Steps may include:

• Extraction:The removal of unhealthy or impacted teeth may be necessary to increase the overall health of your mouth.
• Exposure of Impacted Teeth:Teeth that have yet to erupt, but are still in a position to be exposed and pulled into position, can be surgically assisted through the removal of some gum tissue and the placement of an orthodontic bracket.
• Smoothing or Reshaping of the Bone:Patients who have suffered from chronic periodontal disease will often have damaged bone. Before having a denture placed, it may be best to smooth or reshape the bone ridge to provide a better ridge for the prosthetic to rest. This will provide a better fit, and more comfort, to the patient with their device.
• Crown Lengthening:Crown lengthening is a procedure that is done to expose more of the tooth from beneath overhanging gum tissue. Sometimes called a gummy smile, patients may have so much excess tissue that it is difficult to place a dental prosthetic, such as a crown, over the tooth. By removing this tissue, the prosthetic can then be placed. A common step in this procedure is the gradient smoothing of gum tissue around the tooth for a more natural appearance.

At Woodland Hills Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, our surgeons, Dr. Robert G. Hale or Dr. James P. Jensvold can help you have better fitting, longer lasting, and more comfortable prosthetics. We understand that by taking some simple steps, we can help improve the chances of restoring the function of your teeth in a way that feels more natural to you. This will be important to your ongoing positive oral health.

PREPARATORY STEPS FOR DENTAL IMPLANTS

Dental Implants are a dental prosthetic that is gaining momentum in dentistry. A common minor surgical step before the placement of an implant is a bone graft. Using bone from the patient, donated bone, or synthetic bone, we can help the patient increase their bone mass to strengthen the base that the implant will rest. A bone graft sounds extreme but is a quick procedure done in less than an hour. The results will be fuller, thicker bone.

PRE-PROSTHETIC SURGERY WITH AN ORAL MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEON

Having your work done with an oral maxillofacial surgeon, such as Dr. Robert G. Hale and Dr. James P. Jensvold increases your odds of successful surgery. Our team has specific education and training working with patients in a surgical environment. For more information on pre-prosthetic surgery, and how to have a prosthetic that looks and feels like your natural teeth, contact our Woodland Hills office at: (818) 999-0900